Senate wants Facebook passwords off-limits for employers

Bill eyes privacy on social media

12:15 AM,
Oct. 26, 2012

Written by

Michael L. Diamond
| @mdiamondapp

New Jersey lawmakers, faced with whether to prevent employers from asking job candidates for access to their social media accounts, gave a response that any Facebook user would understand: Like.

Employers and colleges no longer could ask prospective employees or students to turn over their login information before they hire or accept them, according to a bill approved unanimously by the Senate on Thursday.

The bill is designed to protect residents who might otherwise worry that a photo taken of them, say, in a drunken stupor and posted on Facebook will disqualify them from a job or school. ...